Your Opinion: Utility profits and surcharge proposal

I’m curious as to why this latest profit news of Ameren’s did not appear in the News Tribune, especially in respect to the infrastructure being a bone of contention today.

Ameren Corporation on May 2 reported a 46 percent jump in profit from continuing operations. This was helped by colder winter weather that drove greater energy use and an electric rate increase, generating earnings of $54 million. Last year for the same quarter they realized a $37 million profit, lower due to a warmer winter that year.

Ameren, with Sens. Kehoe and Riddles backing, is wanting the key to the vault, so they can help themselves to our hard-earned money without accountability. Surely they must realize who backed them when running for office, and now they are turning their backs on us, shame.

There was no mention of how this money would be used, but I’m willing to venture a thought. A good portion of this will be used for both Ameren’s lobbyist, and their executives salaries. In the meantime, Sen. Kehoe is saying his bill, SB207 is not dead, even though his proposal was meeting with vigorous opposition from legislators, large users, and us, the everyday consumer.

Recently I read that the Missouri utility companies are seeking the identical surcharge abilities for natural gas. When is this madness going to cease? Has this monopoly gone to their heads?

Our legislators need to sit back, reflect on this madness, and do something constructive and sensible.

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